Eligibility

Please read carefully as the age requirements on this page supersede any others; expressed, implied or written.

Each participant must be a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venture Scout, or Adult Leader.

Participants must be 13 years of age prior to their arrival at Sea Base. Participants who would turn 13 during their adventure are not eligible to participate. AGE REQUIREMENTS CANNOT BE RELAXED.

Participants must be in good health evidenced by the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (no other form is acceptable) filled out and signed by their doctor within the past 12 months. A special scuba medical waiver is required for scuba program participants. A history of asthma, diabetes, seizure, narcolepsy, heart disease, lung disease or injury, or use of specific types of medication including some psychotropic drugs (medications for ADD, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Panic, etc.) and other health concerns may disqualify a participant from scuba diving. All scuba program participants must be cleared by the Sea Base Medical Director to participate. Please refer to the Sea Base Risk Advisory and BSA Scuba Policy for more information.

Must be a Certified Diver for the SCUBA Adventure Program by a certified agency nationally recognized by the BSA.

Every participant must meet BSA Height and Weight Guidelines. Exceptions may be made for individuals who are not more than 20 pounds over the weight limit. To receive an exception, the participant must provide a letter from their physician stating that they are in good health and approved for participation. Sea Base may choose to refer the individuals medical record and physicians note to the Sea Base Medical Director. Final decision for participation rests solely with the Sea Base Medical Director. Due to rescue equipment restrictions and evacuation efforts from remote sites, under no circumstances will any individual exceeding 295 pounds be permitted to participate. Anyone arriving at Sea Base exceeding 295 pounds will be sent home at their own expense. No refund will be given.

All participants must know and use the scout Oath and Law as their guide to appropriate behavior at Sea Base.

Medical Concerns That May Limit Eligibility

Prospective participants who have experienced any of the following conditions, relating to Cardiac- Cardiovascular Disease, to undergo a thorough evaluation by their treating physician and be medically cleared for high adventure before participation at Sea Base:

Prospective participants who are Hypertensive; blood pressure greater than 140/90 should be treated and lower blood pressure to 140/90 prior to arrival at Sea Base. If medications are taken they must be continued while at Sea Base as prescribed.

They are experienced to self- monitor, manage diabetes in remote physically challenging environments. Sea Base should not be the first adventure for an individual with diabetes or for an individual with newly diagnosed diabetes.

They can adequately recognize hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia and can begin the appropriate initial response for these conditions.

At least one other crew member can adequately recognize hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia and can begin the appropriate initial response for these conditions.

They are not frequently hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis.

SCUBA ONLY- They do not use insulin to control diabetes. They have been medically cleared by their physician in consult with DAN- Divers Alert Network and Sea Base Medical Director. Final decision for participation rests with Sea Base Medical Director.

Additional Notes about Diabetes and Scuba Diving: Persons with diabetes who are 18 years of age or older who wish to scuba dive should be assesse by a physician familiar with both hyperbaric issues related to diabetes and medications used for the control and treatment of diabetes. Persons 18 years old or older who are determined to be candidates for scuba diving must submit four hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests, each with HbA1c values less than 7, taken within the previous 12 months. Any test within the past 12 months with an HbA1c value greater than 7 disqualifies a person from scuba diving as part of a BSA activity. Persons younger than 18 years of age with Type 1 diabetes will not be allowed to scuba dive. Persons under the age of 18 who control their diabetes with exercise and diet (no medications) and can provide three sequential hemoglobin tests with HbA1c values less than 6 may be approved to scuba dive.

Prospective participants with a seizure disorder or Epilepsy may participate in Sea Base Adventures if:

They have been medically cleared by their physician.

Seizures are controlled with medication.

They have been seizure free for one year.

SCUBA ONLY- They have not had seizure activity within the previous 5 years. They do not take seizure medications. They have been medically cleared by their physician in consult with DAN- Divers Alert Network and Sea Base Medical Director. Final decision for participation rests with Sea BaseMedical Director.

They have not required frequent hospitalizations for asthma in the previous 6 years.

They are experienced to self- monitor, manage asthma in remote physically challenging environments.

Asthma is controlled to normal- essentially normal lung function with the use of oral or aerosol bronchodilators and does not require the use of a nebulizer.

Exercise induced asthma can be controlled with bronchodilator premedication and do not require systemic corticosteroid therapy.

They bring sufficient medication for the entire adventure; all persons having been treated for asthma in the previous 6 years must carry a full size prescribed inhaler for the length of the adventure.

SCUBA ONLY- They have not been prescribed medication including rescue inhalers within the previous 5 years. They have not had asthma symptoms within the previous 5 years OR have taken and passed a Methacholine Test and have been medically cleared by their treating physician in consult with DAN- Divers Alert Network and Sea Base Medical Director. Final decision for participation rests with Sea Base Medical Director.

They understand that they are responsible to provide battery support and will not have access to electricity if participating in Bahamas Sea Base, Coral Reef Sailing, STEM- ECO Sailing, Out Island, Scuba Live Aboard, Sea Base St. Thomas, Sea Exploring Adventures.

Every participant must meet BSA Height and Weight Guidelines. Exceptions may be made for individuals who are not more than 20 pounds over the weight limit. To receive an exception, the participant must provide a letter from their physician stating that they are in good health and approved for participation. Sea Base may choose to refer the individuals medical record and physicians note to the Sea Base Medical Director. Final decision for participation rests solely with the Sea Base Medical Director. Due to rescue equipment restrictions and evacuation efforts from remote sites, under no circumstances will any individual exceeding 295 pounds be permitted to participate. Anyone arriving at Sea Base exceeding 295 pounds will be sent home at their own expense. No refund will be given.

Additional notes that may restrict a person from participating in SCUBA PROGRAMS ONLY:

Medications: Prospective participants taking any Medications for ADD, ADHD, anxiety, depression or any medications that may be contraindicated for scuba diving must be medically cleared by their physician in consult with DAN-Divers Alert Network and Sea Base Medical Director. Final decision for participation rests with Sea Base Medical Director. Particular attention is paid to anxiety medications and the effect anxiety may have on the scuba diver.

Hypertensive: Blood pressure greater than 140/90 should be treated and lower blood pressure to 140/90 prior to arrival at Sea Base. If medications are taken they must be continued while at Sea Base as prescribed.

Concussions: Those participants who have suffered a concussion and any side effects from the concussion should contact DAN and Florida Sea Base to discuss this issue.

For any other medical concerns, please contact the Florida Sea Base at 305.664.4173

About SeaBase

Located in Islamorada and on Summerland Key in the beautiful Florida Keys, Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, Bahamas, and in the U.S. Virgin Islands the near shore reefs and crystal-clear waters offer unparalleled opportunities for long term and short term programs year round. Our Conference facilities are utilized for youth and adult Scouting Conferences and non-Scouting groups when available.